Chapter 61 Luring the Enemy into a Trap, Entering a Demon's Den

“Hello? Principal?”

You answered the phone, your voice carrying just the right amount of confusion.

“Yes, it’s me.”

Principal Liao Xianyu’s voice came from the other end of the line, tinged with apology.

“Sorry, Li Ang, for disturbing your sleep so late.”

“It’s alright, Principal, I haven’t slept yet. I’m reading to review today’s training.”

You replied obediently, “Is there something you need?”

“Haha, that’s good. There is indeed something important I need you for, otherwise, I wouldn’t disturb you so late.”

Principal Liao Xianyu seemed to let out a sigh of relief, his tone becoming more enthusiastic.

It even carried a hint of eager inducement.

“Just now, I received an urgent notice from the province.”

“It says a ‘Special Martial Arts Subsidy’ for impoverished Martial Artist Geniuses has been issued, a full 300,000!”

“But the approval process for this money is very tight; it requires a personal signature and seal tonight.”

“It must be submitted first thing tomorrow morning, no exceptions.”

“So, I’ve already driven to the Teachers Apartment building.”

“I was thinking of taking you to the office to sign, and we’ll handle it quickly.”

“We’ll make sure you get the money within a month.”

“300,000?”

You sneered inwardly.

What a clumsy excuse.

Provincial subsidies always follow proper procedures, either directly deposited or announced by the Academic Affairs Office.

When would a dignified school Principal personally drive to pick up a student for a signature in the middle of the night? And so urgently?

This was clearly a trap designed to lure you out of the “safe zone.”

“What? Is it inconvenient?” Principal Liao Xianyu asked when he heard no reply from you.

“No, no, no, it’s convenient! Of course, it’s convenient!”

You immediately feigned an overjoyed tone.

“Really? That’s great! I was just worrying about not having enough money for Advanced potions!”

“I’ll be right down. Thank you for your trouble, Principal Liao.”

“Haha, no trouble at all. As the Principal of Longnan No. 1 High School, serving students is my duty.”

“Alright, then. I’ll wait for you.”

“Beep beep beep...”

The call ended.

You stared at your phone screen, your eyes gradually turning cold.

“Serving students? More like serving the cult.”

You didn’t rush downstairs.

You walked to the bookshelf and skillfully opened the hidden compartment.

You took out the backup phone used for direct contact with Cold Kite.

You composed a message: “Principal Liao Xianyu contacted me in the early morning with a clumsy excuse.”

“Something might be wrong, but I’m not sure.”

Sent.

Watching the message send successfully, a composed smile appeared at the corner of your lips.

“The bait I laid out worked. I wonder how many big fish I’ll catch this time.”

After doing all this, you put the backup phone back in its place and changed into light athletic wear.

You composed your expression, putting on an expectant look, and hurried downstairs.

...

Downstairs at the Teachers Apartment.

A black official car was parked in the shadow of a streetlamp, its engine rumbling softly.

Principal Liao Xianyu sat in the driver’s seat, his expression so gloomy it seemed water could drip from it.

His fingers drummed unconsciously on the steering wheel, making an irritable sound.

But in the end, his granddaughter’s lovely face won out.

Just then, he saw your figure running out of the stairwell through the car window.

Almost instantly, the Great Master of expression changes came online.

The gloom on his face vanished without a trace, replaced by his amiable smile.

He rolled down the window and waved at you.

“Li Ang, you’re here? Come on, get in, it’s cold outside.”

“Okay, Principal.”

You walked over quickly, pulled open the car door, and sat in the passenger seat.

A faint smell of tobacco permeated the car.

Clearly, before you arrived, the Principal had smoked a lot to relieve his anxiety.

“Buckle up, I won’t waste any more words.”

“We’ll make this quick, sign the documents, and then I’ll bring you back to rest.”

Principal Liao Xianyu said as he started the car.

“Okay, Principal, thank you for your trouble.”

The black sedan slowly started and drove away from the Teachers Apartment.

Actually, the administrative building was only a little over a kilometer from the Teachers Apartment, a quick walk.

Driving not only allowed them to leave the school’s surveillance area faster but also created a confined space, convenient for employing their methods.

Indeed.

The car had driven less than five hundred meters and entered a tree-lined road when Principal Liao Xianyu’s voice suddenly changed.

It was no longer gentle, as if he were reciting some ancient scripture.

“Peeling paint...”

“Chipped iron bowl...”

It was that damned secret incantation again!

You snorted coldly in your heart, but your body showed no resistance.

“Buzz—”

Deep in your mind, the already prepared Virtual Personality instantly took over your body.

Protecting your main consciousness deep within your Sea of Consciousness.

As the secret incantation continued, your eyes quickly became hollow and vacant.

Your originally straight back slowly slumped, and your body stiffly leaned against the seat.

Like a shell from which the Soul had been extracted.

Principal Liao Xianyu finished the last line and glanced at you.

Looking at this student, whom he was once so proud of, now turned into a Puppet.

A deep trace of unbearable pain flashed in his eyes.

But soon, this unbearable pain was replaced by determination.

He said nothing, just silently turned the steering wheel.

The car did not go to the administrative building but drove directly out of the school gate.

It turned onto a secluded road leading to the old district.

Twenty minutes later.

The car stopped at the end of a dilapidated alley.

The streetlights here were dim, and the surroundings were silent, with only a few stray cats rummaging for food in the trash.

“We’re here.”

Principal Liao Xianyu turned off the engine and opened the car door.

In the shadows of the alley, two figures slowly emerged.

You watched all this coldly through your “third-person perspective” in your Sea of Consciousness.

One of them was wearing an ordinary black robe and a plain, patternless mask.

And the other person...

The moment you saw that person clearly, your heart was greatly shaken.

Too familiar.

You would recognize him even if he were reduced to ashes.

A luxurious black robe embroidered with dark red eyeball patterns, and a pale, eerie bone-textured demonic mask.

The Masked Man!

The Soaring Realm Expert who made you feel suffocated and despairing in the last simulation, who could easily crush a Origin Opening Realm Martial Artist!

“Principal Liao, you’re very efficient. I’m pleased.”

The Masked Man’s voice was still as gentle and indifferent, as if everything in this world was under his control.

Principal Liao Xianyu did not answer him, merely snorted coldly.

He opened the passenger door and helped the “vacant” you out of the car.

“Go, follow them.” Principal Liao Xianyu ordered you.

You mechanically nodded and walked behind the Masked Man.

Principal Liao Xianyu watched this scene, his fists clenching audibly, but he ultimately said nothing.

He just got back into the car; he didn’t drive away.

He lit a cigarette and sat quietly in the car, as if waiting for fate’s verdict.

Deep in the alley, another inconspicuous gray sedan was parked.

The Masked Man looked at you, a smile gracing his lips, and once again recited a cryptic incantation.

As the incantation ended, control of the Virtual Personality was smoothly transferred to the Masked Man.

“Get in.”

The Masked Man took you into the back seat, while the Black-Robed Figure subordinate drove.

The vehicle started, smoothly driving out of the alley.

The atmosphere in the car was somewhat heavy, with only the rustling sound of tires on the wet road.

The Black-Robed Figure driving glanced at you, sitting stiffly in the back seat through the rearview mirror, and finally couldn’t help but speak.

“Adjudicator, is this ceremony today... really necessary?”

His tone carried a hint of worry, “For a ‘Host Body’ still under observation.

Using such a grand display, and even going to that place... won’t this increase the risk of exposure?”

“Shut up.”

The Masked Man leaned back in his seat, his voice cold.

“This is the Cult Master’s order. Don’t ask what you shouldn’t, just get the job done.”

“Cult Master...” The Black-Robed Figure flinched.

“The Cult Master is newly appointed and needs a ceremony to boost the cult’s Aura.”

The Masked Man turned his head, his red-glowing eyes peering through the mask’s holes, glancing at you beside him.

“Moreover...”

“This is also the ‘Divine Child’s’ initiation ceremony.”

“Only after being baptized there can he be in the most perfect state to welcome the arrival of December 13th.”

Deep within your Sea of Consciousness, hearing this information, your heart stirred slightly.

“Newly appointed Cult Master... boosting Aura... initiation ceremony...”

“It seems the Heart-Eroding Cult isn’t a monolithic entity. This operation feels more like a display of authority.”

The vehicle traveled through the night, gradually leaving the old city district.

However, it did not head towards the wilderness but towards the most prosperous commercial area of the city center.

Half an hour later.

“We’re here.”

The car slowly drove into the underground parking lot of a skyscraper.

It was heavily guarded here, with armed guards everywhere.

But upon seeing the Masked Man’s car, no one blocked it; instead, they respectfully waved it through.

The car stopped, but the Masked Man was not in a hurry to have you get out.

He took out an exquisite black wooden box from the trunk behind him.

“To see a god, one must first straighten one’s attire.”

The Masked Man opened the box, revealing a brand new set of attire folded inside.

As he uttered the command, you mechanically took the clothes and obediently put them on.

It was a loose black robe, with a silky, cold texture.

The cuffs and collar were embroidered with the same dark red eyeball patterns as on the Masked Man’s robe.

Next, a mask.

It was a pure white bone-textured mask, unlike the Masked Man’s, it had no facial features.

Only two pitch-black holes were left for the eyes.

“Perfect.”

The Masked Man observed you now, his eyes showing an expression of appreciating a work of art.

Currently, you were clad in a black robe, with a white bone mask covering your face, exuding an Aura that warned others to keep their distance.

“From now on, forget the name Li Ang.”

The Masked Man pushed open the car door, his voice faint.

“You are the agent of God.”

You obediently followed him out of the car.

Under the dim lights of the underground parking lot, your consciousness caught a glimpse through your peripheral vision.

You saw the large golden logo at the elevator entrance.

At that moment, a chill ran through your heart.

It was a pattern composed of gold coins and skulls.

The Black Gold Chamber of Commerce Headquarters Building!